Although the Spurs are a highly successful team the 2007-08 season has been disappointing for them as they were defeated by Lakers in the West Finals. However their point guard Tony Parker was relieved with the exciting news that he was chosen as the cover guy for EA’s NBA LIVE 2009. Randy Kim of FanHouse had a chat with Parker regarding the current scenario.
Kim asked him whether he labeled the Spurs’ season as a disappointment. Parker replied that in order to be victorious in a championship there are several aspects that have to go your way. If the previous season was viewed there were two tough series with New Orleans and Phoenix and this is the reason to be happy regarding the season. It was clear that the fans were disappointed that they did not win the championship but the team would try to come back in the next year and display a better performance.
Kim pointed out that if Manu was healthy then would that have assisted the team. Parker said that if Manu was cent percent fit the scenario would be considerably different. However Parker continued that he did not desire to speak regarding ifs and it was essential to concentrate on the forthcoming season. He has the experience of past seven years during which Popovich the coach always kept the team ready to compete for the title and the next season would not be an exception.
Kim interrogated if Parker had been in touch with his teammates during the summer and how was the frame of mind of the team. Parker answered that he was always in touch with his teammates and all of them were in high spirits.
Kim asked if Parker was in contact with Coach Popovich. Parker said that he had dinner and lunch with Popovich in New York recently. However they did not speak much about basketball.
Kim questioned which team would be Parker supporting during the basketball tournament in this year’s Summer Olympics. Parker replied that as two of his teammates Fabricio Oberto and Manu Ginobili are playing for Argentina he would support this team. Also he has a good friendship with Andrei Kirilenko and hence likes Russia also. Parker is of the opinion that the U.S. also has a good team.
Kim interrogated whether the U.S. would be the team to beat to which Parker said that definitely it is so.
Kim further asked what was Parker’s opinion regarding the U.S. having a smaller lineup. Parker was of the opinion that it was an interesting choice. The team would get by as the teams play small in Europe and hence going smaller would be of help to the team.
Kim questioned that if the Spurs were trying to have J.R.Smith in their team. Parker replied that he was on vacation for a long time and hence has not spoken regarding it with anybody and has not speculated what was the significance of including Smith in the team.
Kim wanted to know where Parker had gone for a vacation. Parker said that he had been to several places like France, Italy, Zurich, Russia etc.